Henry looks a little surprised. “Of course,” he hastens to add, smoothing over the awkward moment. “I’m sure wherever you choose to open a shop, Emmie, it will be a success.”
Jakob narrows his eyes at Henry like he’s trying to take his measure.
Henry clears his throat. “Emmie, could I trouble you for a few minutes? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you. I’ve had a thought after our last conversation.”
Henry’s been thinking about me? I like the sound of that. Next to me Dani elbows me in a very unsubtle manner. “Say yes,” she hisses under her breath.
Jakob clears his throat. He’s standing in the doorway to the bathroom, arms crossed, looking a little annoyed. He raises a brow at me and holds up the wrench. “I’ll get back to work if you don’t need me for anything else?”
I flush, feeling the weight of his assessing gaze on me. Why do I feel like he’s judging me, or that somehow he’s disapproving? My life is none of his business.
“Of course, go for it,” I tell him briskly, then turn apologetically to Henry. “I’d love to chat now, but I’ve got Gus with me. He’s having a snack in the kitchen. Could we find another time soon?”
Dani jumps in. “I’ll take Gus home and make sure his homework’s all done. You stay and talk to Henry, Emmie.” She shoots a pointed look at me behind Henry’s back and mouths,“Go with him!”jabbing a finger toward the door.
“Are you sure?” I ask her.
“Stay out as late as you want,” she calls over her shoulder, already heading toward the kitchen to get Gus.
“Tell Gus we’ll finish the LEGO spaceship as soon as I get home,” I instruct her. She gives me a thumbs-up over her shoulder. Gus won’t be disappointed by this turn of events. He adores Dani and is always begging to have more time with her.
“Well then.” Henry gestures toward the door. “Shall we?”
I can still taste the sprinkles from the truffle, a sliver of golddissolving slowly on my tongue. Looking at Henry, I feel something new rising in my heart, the courage to take risks and reach for the stars.
“I’d love that.”
I follow Henry out the door.
Chapter 13
It’s late afternoon, the clouds low and gray and the air smelling like ocean brine and impending rain as Henry and I walk side by side through historic downtown Poulsbo. I’m giddy and eager to hear what he has to say. Being with him feels like drinking a triple shot of espresso. I can feel my heart beating fast in my chest. I can’t believe I’m just walking around my hometown with Henry Summers like it’s the most normal thing in the world. This late in the day, the sidewalk is almost empty. Henry sets a very leisurely pace, hands in his pockets. I picture him at eighty, wearing a cardigan and doing the same thing, with salt-and-pepper hair and those same clear hazel eyes. I wonder where we will both be at that age. Will we grow old together? Will we still be in love? It’s a strange yet lovely thought. Every moment with Henry feels like it has a subtext of destiny running below the surface. Every word has extra meaning, every second feels like it’s leading up to something good. I shiver in anticipation.
“So you’ve decided to open your own shop?” Henry says,turning to me, his gaze warm and open. “That’s excellent news. When we spoke about it over tea, you seemed to have some serious reservations. What changed your mind?”
“I’m doing it partly because of something you said,” I admit. “You said I have a talent and that you hoped someday I could find a way to share it with the world again. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.” I glance at Henry, then muster my courage. “The truth is that I’ve been too scared to take the step I’ve dreamed of taking for years. But your words inspired me, and then my mom generously offered to help make it a reality. I’m still not sure I can really pull it off, but it’s like I found enough courage to take the risk. All I needed was a little push.”
A little push in the form of my birthday vision, Henry showing up in town, and a glass cylinder of mysterious but seemingly potent magical sprinkles. I think of the sprinkles. They appear to be working because somehow I’m here with Henry, telling him about my dream and reaching for that vision with a boldness I didn’t know I had. It feels terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time.
“I’m so glad to hear that.” Henry smiles. He peers at me from under the hank of hair falling over his forehead. He’s concentrating on me like I’m the most important person in the world. I love it. Even though it’s chilly, I’m warmed by his attention.
“Emmie, I’ve been thinking about you since we talked—about your family’s fudge shop and the challenges you’re facing right now. And I’d like to help.” He clears his throat. “I hope this isn’t too forward, but how would you feel about me featuring your family on an episode ofSavor?”
I stop dead still on the sidewalk. “Are you serious?” I stare at him wide-eyed. In my wildest dreams I’ve imagined Henry saying these very words. Now he’s saying them for real. Mom isgoing to lose her mind when she hears about his offer. She’s wanted us to be onSavorfor years.
“I’m quite serious.” Henry nods. “And now that you’re opening your own chocolate shop, we could feature that too. I want to focus on the generational family aspect, how you’re carrying on your family’s legacy in a new way for a modern time. I think it will be a great fit forSavor.”
What he’s not saying, but what I know to be true from doing my own internet research, is that being featured onSavoris a huge marketing boost for any business. The high-profile exposure leads to a big jump in sales, visitors, and visibility. It would be a tremendous benefit for my fledgling chocolate shop as well as for the Happy Viking. And I’d get to spend more time with Henry. It feels like Christmas and my birthday came early this year.
“Eek, thank you!” I squeal and impulsively throw my arms around Henry and hug him. He laughs, a puff of air against my hair, and returns the hug. He is warm, lean muscle underneath his soft swazer, and he smells as delicious as he did before, like steeping Earl Grey tea, an elegant, pleasant aroma.
“You’re very welcome, Emmie,” he tells me, pulling back to peer into my face. “This is why I hostSavor, to showcase local families and businesses who are pillars of their communities, who are contributing in some way toward making the world a kinder, happier place. Everywhere I’ve gone in this town, people have spoken highly of you and your family. You’ve made a big impact on this community with your kindness and your generosity, and that’s exactly the kind of folks I want to highlight in my show.”
“This is a dream come true,” I tell him, beaming. I mean that in more ways than one. I step back, but I’m still clasping his arm. I don’t want to let him go.
“It’s my pleasure. I’m glad to be of service,” Henry says with a smile. We stand there for a moment, not saying anything, just sharing a look. “And I’m glad you’re saying yes,” Henry says softly. I blush pink.
“Me too.”
